Diffuser cars not allowing overtaking - Massa(GMM) F1's new-look cars of 2009 are travelling more closely together, but it seems they are no easier than before to overtake with.

After the British grand prix, it was the double diffuser in the spotlight for spoiling the efforts of the Technical Working Group to radically amend this year's cars for the benefit of the spectacle.

"Just as was planned by the FIA, the cars did produce less downforce," said Ferrari's Felipe Massa.

"But with the decision to allow the double diffusers, this plan was turned upside down," the Brazilian told Auto Motor und Sport.

Toyota's Timo Glock adds that even the moveable front flaps this year are not providing a benefit to aid overtaking.

"When you're in the turbulence of the cars ahead, all your grip is lost. You're sliding on all four wheels," the German said.

MotoGP boss denies 'breakaway' involvement(GMM) MotoGP chief Carmelo Ezpeleta has backed away from speculation that he could be involved in FOTA's breakaway series plans.

Firstly, he is clearly not towing the rebel team's current line, as he predicts that "two championships would be terrible".

"Pardon me for saying, but it's just stupid. No way," said Ezpeleta, CEO of Dorna Sports.

"I'm with motorcycles, having joined a company of which I am also a shareholder, and we're committed to bringing the bikes forwards," he told Spanish radio Onda Cero.

"I do not have any intention in the slightest to organize a parallel championship.

"I believe the formula one crisis will be fixed," he added. "Surely they're not stupid enough to break it all up."

Ezpeleta, however, indicated that F1's powerbrokers may be able to learn something from the MotoGP organization.

"We have an agreement with the constructors that if they are unanimously opposed to a new rule, then the rule doesn't take effect."

FOTA to rev up breakaway plans this week(GMM) On Thursday of this week, FOTA plans to speed up preparations for next year's breakaway world championship.

According to strong speculation, the timing of the meeting has been planned to occur immediately after Wednesday's World Motor Sport Council summit.

Rumors indicate that a vote could be proposed to oust FIA president Max Mosley - or minimally reduce his power - thus potentially ending the standoff with the rebel teams.

It has emerged that the FOTA bosses met on Sunday morning in the Renault motor home, where it was decided that it would be unanimously declared that no peace deal with Mosley is being sought.

It was directly contradictory to Mosley's parallel suggestion that a deal is close, which according to another rumor was spurred on by pressure from F1 owner CVC's lawyers about the damaging nature of the political chaos.

"We have taken our decision and that's it. There is nothing more to discuss," Renault's Briatore was quoted as saying by the Spanish press.

"The FIA closed the door on us. We decided to do our own championship. There are no negotiations," he said, adding on Sunday that details of the new series will begin to be set in stone "next week".

"I am not interested in what Mosley says. It is not our business any more," said Briatore.

In Italy's Tuttosport, Ferrari president and FOTA chairman Luca di Montezemolo indicated he is looking forward to the breakaway.

"In November 2007, Ferrari and Kimi Raikkonen won the formula one world championship because there were clear rules and it was possible. No longer," said the Italian.

Montezemolo will attend Wednesday's FIA summit.

Montreal wants peace before new F1 deal(GMM) Montreal's mayor says the revival of the Canadian grand prix depends upon formula one resolving its crisis.

Recent reports indicate Bernie Ecclestone is keen to reinstate the popular race at the Circuit Gilles Villeneuve, but Gerald Tremblay insists that the price paid by Montreal promoters will not be pushed too high.

And according to the Canadian news agency CP, he insists a deal will not be done while the sport's ruling bodies are warring with its teams.

"In the moment we sign an agreement with Bernie Ecclestone, we want to be assured that the situation is under control," mayor Tremblay said.

Even when peace is in sight, he said any race contract would include a clause stipulating that the "big teams will be in Montreal".

Tremblay is optimistic a new deal can be struck, despite relations hitting a low after the final event in 2008. He indicated the "mood" has now changed.

"I think the teams want to come back," he said.

Bernie tells Argentina to build new F1 track(GMM) Potential organizers of a future Argentine grand prix must build a new circuit, according to F1 chief executive Bernie Ecclestone.

We reported recently that the 78-year-old was in talks with potential promoters, after the South American country last hosted a race at the Autodromo Juan y Oscar Galvez in capital Buenos Aires in 1998.

The local newspaper Critica indicated that a street race is a possibility.

"We're interested in going there (to Argentina) but they (the promoters) have to do something. They have to build a circuit," Ecclestone said at Silverstone last weekend, the Spanish newspaper Diario Sport said.

Asked if the old venue was a possibility, the Briton bluntly answered: "No."

Also asked about Argentina's chances, Mercedes chief Norbert Haug confirmed that the existing Buenos Aires track is not an option.

"As it was a few years ago, no," said the German.

Ferrari boss rues F1's KERS 'flop'(GMM) Stefano Domenicali has blamed development money wasted on KERS as the reason for its competitive struggle in 2009.

Other big teams, including McLaren, have also blamed their current struggles on having focused for too long on the 2008 title, rather than on the sweeping new rules for this season.

But Ferrari boss Domenicali said crucial funds amounting to "millions of euros" was thrown out the window on expensive KERS technology that he now believes was a "flop" for the sport.

"A lot of money was spent without the desired effect. Let me put it this way: if it had been spent instead on the car, Ferrari would now be just as fast as this Red Bull," he insisted after the British grand prix.

At Silverstone, Ferrari's Maranello built cars were the only ones featuring the controversial energy re-use technology, after McLaren, BMW and Renault recently abandoned the approach.

Asked if KERS was a failure for F1, Domenicali answered: "That is something easily said, but it is true.

"For passenger cars, KERS is the future, but in formula one we are in a different environment. For us there are too many compromises: ultimately, it is all about the speed of our cars."

F1 eyes rare lull in 2009 calendar(GMM) Sunday evening at Silverstone marked the beginning of a rare lull in the formula one calendar.

After eight races - four of them outside of Europe - separated by a week or a fortnight, the travelling circus can now enjoy two weekends off before the odyssey resumes in Germany mid next month.

Work at the teams' factories will continue apace, but for the drivers - no longer required even for tests - it is a different story: Ferrari's Felipe Massa confirmed he will take the opportunity for a rare extended stay in his native Brazil.

Williams' two race drivers are also planning a holiday: Nico Rosberg to the Mediterranean holiday island Ibiza, and Kazuki Nakajima to Norway.

"I'm going with a friend," said the Japanese. "We're going to do a bit of sightseeing, like looking at the fjords. I can't wait!"

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